What about Damascus for an EDC?

[ShooterMcgavin]

I know very little about Damascus, except that it can be very attractive. For a blade that will be put to use, how does it hold up? Is it always a compromise, because it is a combination of other steels? Would S30V (with a good heat treat) usually be a better option? ...or compared to other stainless steels?

If you need a reference point for which to have a discussion, let's talk about the Damascus that is used in Chris Reeve's knives compared to the S30V he uses.

 

[dhaines]

S30V is more rust resistant than Damascus if they use a 1095 and nickle. Also S30V will hold an edge very well but be harder to sharpen. Damascus is patter welded steel of 2 or more materials and depends on the quality of the materials used. The best blades I see are made in an asian style with a high carbon core surrounded by a softer steel. Murray Carte makes amazing knives with hitachi blue steel but he only has fixed blades...So his damascus is just the outer core when he maks his blades that way with a hitachi high carbon blue or white center core. As far as a folder with Damascus your best bet is do what I did and buy a cheap one like a Kershaw damascus ken onion leek and see if you like it. I use a japanese tea seed oil to keep the blade from rusting from Murray.
Here is the link to the oil it is amazing in my humble opinion and is non toxic and oderless so you can use your knives for cooking.
http://www.cartercutlery.com/japanese-knives/knife-sharpening/japanese-blade-oil

 

[Greg]

Pattern welded Damascus made from good stainless will hold up as well as any other premium stainless--if stainless, ie S30V, is what you want. The best will be expensive as the raw steel has had some serious work done to produce the pattern, and then the knifemaker has to make the knife.

I routinely carry both pattern and plain for light daily work and notice no significant difference.

Greg

 

[So-Lo]

Really depends on who made the Damascus, and what it's made from

Devin Thomas stainless damascus is really great stuff, it acts about like VG-10 with a better edge retention... But your going to pay for it, is it better then S30V? Depends in what you want out of your knife. I have not been able to find a knife as tough, and as good looking as my large regular stainless raindrop Sebenza. Was it worth the $900? For me it was, your milage may vary


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